This research article explores the situation of children in alternative or institutional care in Pakistan, aiming to shed light on the challenges they face, interventions implemented to address their needs, and the associated laws and policy implications. Drawing on the existing literature, empirical studies and reports from reputable organisations, this research article examines the factors contributing to the placement of children in alternative care, highlights the impact of institutionalisation on their development and assesses the effectiveness of interventions and policies aimed at improving their well-being. The findings emphasise the importance of family-based care alternatives, comprehensive support systems and evidence-informed policies to ensure the holistic development of children in Pakistan’s alternative care system.
Cradle, a baby’s bed or cot. https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cradle.
2.
Child Protection and Welfare Bureau. Government of the Punjab. https://cpwb.punjab.gov.pk/overview
3.
Children Services, Edhi Foundation. https://edhi.org/children-services/Importance of Orphans’ Rights. https://www.quranexplorer.com/blog/education-in-thelight-of-sunnah-and-qura’an/what_quran_says_about_orphans_property
4.
Dar-ul-Sukun. https://darulsukun.com/
5.
Edhi Foundation, Serving Humanity is the Spirit of all Religions. https://edhi.org/
6.
KhanM.S.M., HarveyC., PriceM. & MacleanM. (2023). Philanthropy and socio-economic development: The role of large indigenous voluntary organizations in bridging social divides in Pakistan. VOLUNTAS: International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11266-022-00554-8#:~:text=Yet%2C%20despite%20this%2C%20paradoxically%2C,Amjad%20%26%20Ali%2C%202018)
7.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection & Welfare Commission, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. https://kp.gov.pk/page/kp_child_protection_and_welfare_commission
8.
Model Children Homes (Orphanages). Social Welfare Department, Government of Punjab. https://swd.punjab.gov.pk/model_children_homes
9.
MurtazaA.Minimum standards for alternative care services for children in Sindh for Social Welfare Department Sindh and Sindh Child Protection Authority.
10.
National Commission for Child Welfare and Development (NCCWD). http://mohr.gov.pk/mohr3d33.html?mc_id=9
11.
NazeerA. & KhuramS. (2017). Causes and circumstances of children’s enrolment in child care centers and orphanages, action research in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, Pakistan. https://www.academia.edu/35992083/Causes_and_Circumstances_of_Childrens_Enrolment_in_Child_Care_Centers_and_Orphanages
12.
Operational Aghosh Homes, Alkhidmat Foundation Pakistan. https://alkhidmat.org/services/orphan-care-program/aghosh.html
Pakistan Bait-ul-Mal Sweet Home Policy (2022). Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, Government of Pakistan. https://pbm.gov.pk/orders/pshpolicy2022.pdf
16.
Sarim Burney Trust. Child Adoption in Pakistan. https://www.sarimburneytrust.org/services/adoption/
17.
Sindh Child Protection Authority, Government of Sindh. https://scpa.sindh.gov.pk/
18.
SOS Children Villages. What we want for the world’s children. https://www.sos.org.pk/Vision
19.
The Balochistan Child Protection Act. (2016). https://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=104968&p_count=102785&p_classification=04&p_classcount=2464#:~:text=Name%3A-,The%20Balochistan%20Child%20Protection%20Act%20(Act%20No,VII%20of%202016).&text=Abstract%2FCitation%3A,abuse%20and%20matters%20incidental%20thereto
20.
The Guardian and Wards Act1890. https://khalidzafar.com/wp-content/files_mf/1527084484GuardiansWardsAct1890.pdf
21.
The Impact of Orphan Sponsorship in Pakistan, Muslim Hands. https://muslimhands.org.uk/latest/2023/03/education-in-pakistan-changing-orphans-lives
22.
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Child Protection and Welfare Act. (2010). https://swkpk.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2010_13_the_khyber_pakhtunkhwa_child_protection_and_welfare_act_2010.pdf
23.
The Punjab Destitute and Neglected Children Act. (2004). http://punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/472.html
24.
The Sindh Child Protection Authority Act. (2011). http://www.pas.gov.pk/uploads/acts/Sindh%20Act%20No.XIV%20of%202011.pdf
25.
The Sindh Orphanages (Supervision and Control) Act. (1976). https://swd.sindh.gov.pk/storage/rulesRegulations/c5rqtEr7SUzTEciL48t4yU6Ndb1OQyxm6V7XfLnj.pdf
26.
The Tribune. (2020, February11). Province’s first child protection unit starts operations. https://tribune.com.pk/story/2154085/provinces-first-child-protection-unit-startsoperations
27.
UllahA., TariqM., Zuhaib AzizS., ZubairS., Rehman SikandarK.U., AliN., ShakoorA., & NisarM. (2021). Battling the invisible infertility agony: A case study of infertile women in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan. Journal of Ethnic and Cultural Studies, 8(2), 89–105. https://www.jstor.org/stable/48710305
28.
World Bank, poverty and equity brief, South Asia, Pakistan. (April2023). https://databankfiles.worldbank.org/public/ddpext_download/poverty/987b9c90-cb9f-4d93-ae8c-750588bf00qa/current/global_poveq_pak.pdf
